Greece and Cyprus Record Lowest Suicide Rates in EU
Despite the severe hardships Greeks endured over the past decade during the financial crisis, Greece—along with Cyprus—registered the lowest suicide rates in the EU, according to the latest Eurostat figures comparing standardized death rates across member states.
Cyprus recorded 4.1 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants while Greece saw 4.6, placing both countries well below the EU average of 10.6. The finding shows where the lowest suicide rates in the EU were observed during the reference year.
How Greece compares to other EU member states in suicide rates
At the other end of the scale, Slovenia posted the highest standardized death rate for suicide at 18.3 deaths per 100,000, followed by Lithuania (18.2) and Hungary (16.7). Malta also reported a relatively low rate at 5.2, rounding out the group of countries with the least recorded suicides for 2022.
Across the European Union, there were 49,042 deaths due to intentional self-harm in 2022, Eurostat said. The population of the EU is currently 450 million people. This translates to a standardized death rate of 10.6 per 100,000 people, up from 10.24 in 2021. In a longer-term perspective, the number of deaths fell by 10 percent compared with 2011 (–5,581 deaths), when the EU-wide rate stood at 12.4, one of its highest ever recorded, at the peak of the Eurozone debt crisis.
Among young people, the picture differs. In 2022, 5,017 people aged 15–29 died as a result of intentional self-harm in the EU. In this age group, more than one in six deaths were attributed to self-harm, making it the second leading cause of death after accidents. By contrast, in the total population, self-harm accounted for around one in 100 deaths. People in their twenties were more likely to die by suicide than their younger peers.
The crude death rate amounted to 8.3 per 100,000 among those aged 25–29 and 7.7 among those aged 20–24, compared with 4.4 for 15–19-year-olds. These age-specific figures highlight how risk rises through late adolescence into early adulthood, making it even more necessary for families and authorities alike to prioritize mental health and well-being among young individuals.
Since 2011, crude death rates associated with intentional self-harm have declined among young people. The rate for 25–29-year-olds fell by 1.2 percentage points from 9.5, for 20–24-year-olds by 1.1 points from 8.8, and for 15–19-year-olds by 0.4 points from 4.8. Eurostat noted that crude rates offer a general view of mortality, while standardized rates adjust for population age structures.
The agency also stressed that the crude death rate associated with intentional self-harm remains higher for the total population than for young people, even though self-harm represents a smaller share of all deaths outside the youth cohort. The release of the latest data for 2022 coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day, which was on September 10th.
Eurostat compiles causes-of-death statistics from medical death certificates, using classifications aligned with the International Classification of Diseases. Under EU regulations, countries may transmit data up to two years after the reference year, with a voluntary 18-month target to improve timeliness.
Across much of Europe, you can call 116 123 for free emotional support and suicide-prevention help. This number routes you to the local service. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call the EU emergency number 112.
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